nwk00
585
Still a compelling watch
There are only a few chronographs with a really beautiful layout(imo), the Datograph, Kari's Masterpiece chronograph and Lang & Heyne Albert.
Most of the other "simple" chronographs in the market that I have handled come up short in one way or another(I am speaking from movement aesthetics and quality alone)
The reason why I sold mine, and I assume this to be true for most owners is that collection criteria changes as we grow as collectors. I keep very little complicated watches nowadays. And we are really spoilt for choices as watch collectors given the variety. People probably just want to try new stuff and hence rotate their collection.
The fact Dufour owns one is a feather in the cap.
More posts:
Reasons one gets rid of their Datograph?
Whether it's the original 39mm or the current 41mm... I read about collectors/enthusiasts buying the Datograph then eventually getting rid of it. It's as if owning the Datograph was a requirement/curiosity then the owner moved on to another option. I ask ...
Mine has been stolen, which is the only reason I don't have it anymore. Two things about the original Datograph ( 39 mm ).
First, you have an icon, with a superb movement. Second, it is not very comfortable, and doesn't sit very well on the wrist. But, in my opinion, this is an icon, a classic and one of the best modern Chronograph. For me, a keeper. Best, Nicolas ...
Very objective!
That's what separates WatchProSite from other sites. Real experiences from real people. Almost nobody on WPS is waxing poetry about a watch they don't have real experience living with.
+1, I wore both 39 datos for a short while..
I am a colored gold person, so rose gold appeals. Besides, the rose gold is lighter than the platinum case and therefore feels more 'wearable, but the watch still "rolls" forward. Lastly you could get a 18mm tang buckle instead of the usual 16mm and wear ...
It amazing that the fine members of this site
can be contacted so conveniently and effectively about a topic so specific that only a tiny percentage of the world population would be able to address.
Yes! You're right!
Not to say other forums outside don't do a fine job and don't have wonderful members. But I do find the people here are a cut above the rest!
Can you elaborate on this?
Must you have owned a watch or a complication to have an opinion on this, or any other, forum?
You don't have to own a watch to have (or express) an opinion on it
I think here at WPS that we hope to operate on watch opinions like a professional tasting wine at an event ... I was taught you take at least three separate sips before expressing any overt opinion on the wine (no groaning, rolling of eyes in astonishment...
I speak for WPS, that all experience levels are welcome.
You misunderstand. I'm just stating, the WPS community has ample experience in these matters. Whereas, on other sites, I often see people with no personal experiences submitting their personal opinions based on their own assumptions without any real perso...
Thank you Patrick
You are right, of course. I just find this particular timepiece mesmerising. Being a fan of English shoes, it took me years to realise that you do not break the shoe, it is more the other way around. I wonder if some owners of Datograph may have had a sim...
I have come to accept that English shoes aren't very comfortable...
I'm a big fan of John Lobb shoes. I'm not an expert on shoes. So you won't find me making too many comparisons on shoes and voicing too many opinions. While I own several Lobb shoes, and others, I know I'm not a true expert, so I try not to give too big o...
Understood
I completely agree with your taste on Lange, and, by the looks of it, also on shoes. Also, I have understood that if no actual experience, no waxing poetry should be written, and if actual experience, opinions ought to be small and be seen to be small. I ...
If the question is how it fits or its general comfort on the wrist...
...it seems that extended time wearing the watch would make for a more informed opinion...
The problem with the original Datograph...
The Original Datograph had a strange back, the case was very big, but the sapphire case stuck out and only the sapphire case would balance the watch on your wrist. This sapphire caseback would be significantly smaller than the case diameter so the weight ...
Nicolas - you wrote that the watch is uncomfortable AND an icon.
In your experience, did a deployant make your Platinum Dato more comfortable (or less uncomfortable) - and more balanced? Or, did you wish that you acquired the less heavy rose gold case with rose gold deployant? Or does deployant clasp not really matter ...
For wearing comfort there is quite a big difference between the 1st gen 39mm version and the newer 41mm "Up&Down.
One of the main reasons for me getting the "Up&Down" model was indeed the (on my wrist) much better wearing comfort than the 39mm version. The 39mm felt very top heavy on my wrist whereas the "Up&Down",with a different width/height ratio,felt much better ...
Is it because it is heavy that it is uncomfortable?
Or maybe the shape of the case, I am curious, never handled one.
We are very happy that the datograph
Wasnt aviable in medieval europe. It would be horrific for the witches to get the punishment of lifelong datograph wearing
Is the 39mm Dato (regardless of case metal) so uncomfortable
that wearing the Dato for a full day at the office is inconvenient or bothersome on the wrist? As if the watch head/case is constantly trying to rotate with gravity? Making the wearer painfully aware of it's imbalance or weight?
Upon losing your Dato
Did you eventually find another chronograph that satisfied/replaced the loss of the Dato? Perhaps the Patek 5170 or other chrono?
I have to add that my Up/Down was almost perfect on the wrist.
I have a 6.25 inch wrist, it’s a heavy watch, but it was well balanced on my wrist. The larger diameter allowed for this. Mine was on a tang, I tend to not like deployants.
I personally sold mine to help my fathers medical treatment, but it was on the chopping block, because as Nico mentioned it, it wasn't sitting properly on my wrist.
I tried with and without deployant, but no success. The shape of the caseback its the issue I believe. The other so to say “flow”, for me was the size of the hands, if not perfect light, it became difficult to see which is the hour and minute hand, specia...
Thank you Z
Somehow, reading your post, is sorrowful to me in regards to my quest to learn more about the Dato. It's as if the Dato is cursed to be uncomfortable and in the end, unkeepable. The other chrono I've been researching is the Patek 5170 (white gold or red g...
This is a good discussion of a significant point - can you safely or with confidence buy a watch that you haven't tried on first?
It depends on you! In my opinion, having bought sold let's say 200 watches in 20 years, I probably resold 25% of those because in the metal they didn't measure up to what I expected. And that's at all levels, for many different reasons. Most often for com...
Robert, I don’t know what advice to give other than see it in the metal before you buy it.
The wobbling didn’t bother me that much but the legibility did!
I noticed on early Sax-O-Mats...
...the hour and minute hands were too similar in length. Always bothered me...
I had the first gen rose gold
I loved the watch, but also just found it did not sit right. I think its off balance, ht vs size. I traded it for a grand lange 1 mp and love the fit of that watch.
I sold mine late last year. You can see some of my thoughts in this thread.
www.watchprosite.com -span-style-color-gray--f-p-journe--span-françois-friday--incoming-/9.1337846.11602231/0/ It’s not a hard watch to let go because it is easily found again. Pricing has also stabilized some, both the 39mm and 41mm, and so that’...
It's difficult to find photos of the side view...
...but this is the 41mm version (photo: prestigetime). I think the fit of the watch and the way owners say it moves on the wrist comes down to the 'flange' for want of a better word. Instead of the case sides extending all the way down, it appears Lange t...
I can't speak for others but...
In my case, when I bought my Lange it was for a 15th wedding anniversary gift. My wondeful wife too me to the boutique in Paris and quite literally said, "pick whatever watch you want." The Dato was short listed and was my choice going in. When I tried it...
As a current owner of a Dato
Worn comfortably earlier today, and I have no plans to get rid of it. Watch is a tad bit heavy, but that’s due to the platinum 39mm case. Not much hassle with centering on the wrist as I have mine on the tang buckle and I have a large wrist. As they say “...
More feedback about the Dato...
Hi Robert, After I first developed an interest in Lange, it took me another decade to warm up to the Datograph (1st gen). That's largely because I've never been much of a chrono guy. It had nothing to do with the Datograph per se. In 2014, I finally got o...
Thanks Jay. Yeah, I'm happy with it! Here's a pic of the bottom of the bracelet.
I was fortunate to find 2 more bracelets (a 19mm WG and a 20mm PT), but I can't decide what to use them on yet. I took some sample pics of the bracelets next to different watch heads but was indecisive. Even this YG bracelet almost went on a different wat...
I’ve tried it on a number or times, and I like heavy (platinum) watches, but I couldn’t quite get over the height (hockey puck feeling).
The ‘up down’ wore much better but there were drawbacks to that one (principally collectibility and price relative to the first gen Dato). I like the wrist feel of the TimeZone much better than either Dato, but that is another story.
The Datograph is a heavy watch...
especially in platinum, but not overly so for it to be uncomfortable on the wrist IMO. I guess it depends on the type (weight/shape) of watches that you are used to wearing. I have mine for more than 5 years now. It weighs 172 grams on the deployant buckl...
Goh, why did you get rid of the 5170s?
We're they not visually interesting/compelling enough in comparison to the Lange Chronographs? Best, Robert
The dato graph In my opinion is a magnificent Masterpiece of functional art
It will always occupy a spot in haute horology I doubt very much that it will ever leave my collection. I wish you well in your journey warmest regards, Tony ...
Still a compelling watch
There are only a few chronographs with a really beautiful layout(imo), the Datograph, Kari's Masterpiece chronograph and Lang & Heyne Albert. Most of the other "simple" chronographs in the market that I have handled come up short in one way or another(I a...
Simple chronograpsh come up short...
Tony - in your opinion, what are the factors that make the 5170-010 come up short? Best, Robert
Whoops, I meant nwk00
In your opinion, what are the factors that make 5170 come up short?
IMO
I think the 5170 is technically very compelling like the patented teeth profile and column wheel cap. From SJX, - "Interestingly the column wheel cap is not just for tradition and aesthetics. While in the past the cap was used to keep the chronograph leve...
Thanks nwk!
Your response makes me appreciate that, for technical / aesthetic achievement alone, owning and wearing the original Datograph is akin to a tribute to Lange. Thanking them for taking that huge chance in 1999 to launch this tour de force. It may be top hea...
Yeah I think you summed it up
I wouldn't buy it base on tribute though, or for the brand. Buy a watch for its own merits and decide if you can live with the shortcomings. I also think the watch is a bargain in the secondary market; but you won't really make money because it has been i...
Thanks nwk
Just to clarify - if you could have the Dato in exactly the metals/colors/leathers/buckles/etc you wanted VS the 1815 Chrono in the exact config you wanted..... and you could only have one.... you would choose the Dato for wearability?
Dont have much experience with the 1815
I think this is a personal decision and the biggest difference will the date followed by the weight. I found the weight of the platinum in the dato comforting and was willing to put up with the top heaviness.
That's a good question.......
The original platinum version is heavy and uncomfortable at times but a must have if your a chrono collector. I don't see myself ever selling it but I do understand why people let it go. I'll wear the piece 4 or 5 days in a row every other month or so in ...
TonyR - very helpful input, thanks!
Very interesting that you take out the Dato despite it's relative discomfort - compared the 1815 Chrono - because of the visual satisfaction you get while wearing the Dato.
